Author and activist Octavia Butler once said, “In order to rise from its own ashes, a phoenix first must burn.” In the case of the Detroit Lions and Tigers, fans have definitely seen the burning part. 5-11, 3-12, 6-10, 47-114, 64-98, 74-87. This is the reality Detroit sports fans have lived in for years, dreaming of playoff runs and being disappointed when that reality doesn’t come to fruition. However, it seems that Detroit, with its gritty Lions and Tigers, has reached that point of rebirth in more ways than one. With the announcement of new uniforms for both teams, it seems to be another signal of the new era upon Detroit.
Both alternative uniforms, dubbed ‘The Motor City Muscle’ (MCM) and the ‘City Connect’ (CC), were meticulously designed with various references to the city and team histories. The MCM are redesigned black uniforms that are meant to embrace the swagger and grit of a Dan Campbell led football team. The inside collar has a trim of blue to represent the blue collar work ethic of the city and the words ‘Motor City’ are inscribed, honoring the Ford Family, who own the Detroit Lions.
Jack Horrocks ’26, who has closely followed Detroit sports for the past five years, believes that the originals were better but that there were also some improvements made including the addition of ‘Detroit’ across the chest of the uniform.
“I think it shows that things aren’t staying the same and they’re honoring who they play for,” Horrocks said. “I also think there’s more diversity in terms of color so I personally wouldn’t have made any changes.”
The Detroit Tigers, who just made the playoffs for the first time since 2016, also debuted new uniforms that intend to celebrate the Motor City. Splitting from the traditional white base colors, the electric navy shade is the background to the words ‘Motor City’ that are displayed across the chest. On the left shoulder is the road sign synonymous with Woodward Avenue and the 313 appears under it in certain lighting, giving more significance to the uniform. Sam Craparotta ’25, a wide receiver on the South Football Team, has differing opinions on the two uniforms.
“The City Connect is mid and it’s just not as good as other MLB teams’ versions,” Craparotta said. “I wish they would’ve added some orange or something but the Lions have the toughest uniforms in the NFL. It’s pure drip.”
Back before the Lions uniform had officially been released, team President Rod Wood said that new uniforms would come when the team won the division, and after a 12-5 performance that culminated in that outcome, the team, fans, and even Head Coach Dan Campbell, were well rewarded.
“It’s a new attitude,” Campbell said in an interview with ESPN. “It’s a new style and it’s our style, so with that, the jerseys come out with it.”
At the Monday Night Football Game against the Seattle Seahawks, fans got to see the MCM debut under the bright field lights and cheered them all the way to a dominant 42-29 win.
